Call Duck

Looks how to spot one

Soft, dense waterproof feathers

The smallest domestic duck, with a round, compact body, a short neck, a small round head with big cheeks and a very short bill. The overall look is often called cute or toy-like.12

Personality what they are like

Lively, chatty little ducks that are often kept purely as pets and are popular with children because they are small and easy to tame. The ducks have a loud, high-pitched call that carries a long way, while drakes are much quieter, so they suit homes without close neighbours.132

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Unlike most domestic ducks, Calls fly well, so keepers usually net the run or trim the flight feathers of one wing, especially while the birds settle into a new home.34

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Ducks keep their feathers in order themselves by preening and bathing, so the main job is supplying clean water: drinkers deep enough for a duck to dip its whole head, and a pool or tub for bathing. Keep bedding dry and change it often, and stop runs from turning into deep mud. Because they are so small, water containers and ponds should be shallow enough for them to climb in and out easily.63

Home where they are happiest

A dry, well-ventilated and predator-proof house with roughly 0.4-0.55 m2 (4-6 sq ft) of floor per duck, plus a secure outdoor run with grass if possible. Sturdy fencing, fine hardware mesh, fencing sunk a little into the ground and overhead netting all help keep the flock safe. A covered or netted run is useful because Call ducks can fly.63

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete commercial waterfowl feed as the base, with leafy greens, other vegetables and the odd protein treat such as mealworms. Keep avocado, chocolate, onion, garlic, nightshade plants and mouldy food away from them, and always offer fresh water alongside food.6

Company who they like around

A flock bird that should live with at least two or three other ducks. If drakes are kept, about one drake to four or more ducks keeps the group settled.6

The story where it all began

Dutch duck-trappers kept these small, loud ducks in the 1600s to call wild ducks into decoy traps, which gave the breed its name. They reached Britain by the mid-1800s, appeared in the first British poultry standard in 1865 and in the first American standard in 1874, and today they are kept mainly for shows and as pets.132

Recognised by the official bits

American Poultry Association (APA)

Grey and White varieties in the first Standard of Perfection (1874); six more colours were added between 1977 and 2007.1

British Waterfowl Standards / Poultry Club of Great Britain

In Tegetmeier's first British poultry standard of 1865, later dropped and brought back in 1971; 17 colours recognised in the 2008 standards.3

Entente Européenne (EE)

Recognises nineteen colours.1

DAD-IS (FAO)

Listed as at risk/endangered (2022).1